Eltech Systems Corporation

Dravo Lime Company

Oxteh Systems, Inc.

Andy W Getsy

Kenneth L Hardee

Lynne M Ernes

Marilyn J Niksa

Richard J Coin

Gerald R Pohto

Charles P Tomba

Joseph J Scarpucci

Jeries I Bishara

Carl W Brown, Jr

Thomas J Schue

Thomas R Turk

Barry L Martin

Edward M Halko

Kevin B Garland

Robert B Kubinski

Gregory J Manning

A compound electrode incorporating a lead substrate utilizes the lead as a support structure. This support structure provides a surface that engages a valve metal expanded metal mesh. The mesh member has a front and back surface with the back surface facing the lead support structure. At least the front surface of the mesh member is an active surface. Securing of the mesh member to the lead support structure in electrical connection permits the lead support structure to serve as a current distributor for the mesh member. The mesh member may engage the surface of the lead support structure by pressing or rolling the mesh onto the lead. Other engagement means can include the use of fasteners, or welding and the like. The resulting structure can be particularly useful as an electrode assembly for use in an electrolytic cell that serves for the electrowinning of a metal.

Lead electrode

A compound electrode incorporating a lead substrate utilizes the lead as a support structure. This support structure provides a surface that engages a mesh member, e.g., a valve metal expanded metal mesh. The mesh member has a front and back surface with the back surface facing the lead support structure. At least the front surface of the mesh member is an active surface. Securing of the mesh member to the lead support structure in electrical connection permits the lead support structure to serve as a current distributor for the mesh member. The mesh member may engage the surface of the lead support structure as by pressing or rolling the mesh onto the lead. Other engagement means can include the use of fasteners, or welding and the like. The resulting structure can be particularly useful as an electrode assembly for use in an electrolytic cell that serves for the electrowinning of a metal.

An electrode, electrochemical cell, and electrochemical processes are disclosed. The electrode is a porous, multi-layered electrode which can have an element in flexible, strip form wound around a central, usually flat plate core, which core may serve as a current distributor. In any form, each layer can be represented by a very thin, highly flexible metal mesh. This can be a fine, as opposed to a coarse, mesh which has extremely thin strands and small voids. The electrode will have an active coating. For utilizing this electrode, the cell in one form will be a monopolar cell providing upward, parallel electrolyte flow through the porous, multi-layered electrode. A representative cell can have such electrode at least substantially filling an electrode chamber. The cells can be contained in a cell box that will provide the desired flow-through relationship for the electrolyte to the electrode. In cell operation, electrochemical processes which can be carried out include metal ion oxidation or reduction, oxidation of organic substituents, nitrate reduction as well as salt splitting.

Electrode and electrochemical cell

Electrode, electrochemical cell and electrochemical processes

Electrodes in plate form can be electrocatalytically coated and secured to a current distributor, such as by welding to a base plate, and may be serviceable, e.g., as anodes, in cells electrolyzing brine. Recoating of plate electrodes can require removal from the cell, removal of old coating, application of fresh coating, then returning and securing the freshly coated electrodes to the cell. There are now provided envelopes for covering the original electrode plates. The original plates thus do not need to be separated from a base member of the cell. The envelopes can have an electrocatalytic coating on their outer surfaces. The resulting electrodes are thus a combination of an old inner plate and a new outer envelope, with an outer surface coating on the envelope. The envelopes can be secured to the inner plate and/or to a current distributor such as a base plate.

Combination inner plate and outer envelope electrode

Electrode for electrochemical cell

Electrochemical process

A filter press electrolyzer, such as for use in a chlor-alkali cell, has electrode assemblies which include a pan-shaped structure. The pan members have a planar floor and an upright side around the peripheral edge of the floor. The upright side terminates upwardly in a rim. The pan members are elongate, thereby providing long, at least substantially parallel sides at long pan edges as well as short sides at the top and bottom of the pan. On the pan floor are a series of parallel, rigid stand-offs, which project upwardly from the floor. These hold electrodes away from the back of the pan. These electrodes are typically large, somewhat flexible and at least substantially planar members, usually made of metal mesh. The stand-offs can include principal stand-offs located at the central area of the pan, plus additional stand-offs, typically one each at the top and bottom of the pan. The principal cathode stand-offs in the pan of a cathode assembly align in an offset manner between the principal anode stand-offs in the pan of an adjacent anode assembly. The height of the principal stand-offs rises above the rim of the pan. In this manner, the flexible electrodes deflect between the cathode and anode stand-offs, and the flexing minimizes the distance between adjacent anode and cathode members.

Filter press electrolyzer electrode assembly

Electrodes in plate form can be electrocatalytically coated and secured to a current distributor, such as by welding to a base plate, and may be serviceable, e.g., as anodes, in cells electrolyzing brine. Recoating of plate electrodes can require removal from the cell, removal of old coating, application of fresh coating, then returning and securing the freshly coated electrodes to the cell. There is now provided a covering innovation for the original electrode plates. In the covering innovation, the original plates do not need to be separated from a base member of the cell. In the method of covering, there is utilized an outer envelope member, tightly engaging the original plate electrode. The envelopes can have an electrocatalytic coating on their outer surfaces. The resulting electrodes are thus a combination of an old inner plate and a new outer envelope, with an outer surface coating on the envelope. The envelopes can be secured to the inner plate and/or to a current distributor such as a base plate.

Method of refurbishing a plate electrode

An electrode assembly which will find use such as in electroplating, is made from a hollow and thin walled, elongate and deflectable outer metal electrode member. This member is usually rounded, e.g., typically circular, in cross-section and has major inner and outer faces. Representative of this outer member would be a titanium tube. The electrode assembly also has a removable and elongate, inner metal electrical current distributor member. This inner current distributor member will typically be rectangular in cross-section. Representative of this inner member is a rectangular copper bar. As assembled, this typical assembly can have the edges on the outer face of the copper bar engage the inner face of the titanium tube. In putting together this particular assembly, the hollow tube is compressed, such as from circular to elliptical shape. The copper bar current distributor is inserted into this misshapen tube. When the pressure on the electrode member tube is released, the resulting spring reaction of the tube flexes it back onto the corners of the copper bar. These corners bite into the interior face of the titanium tube. This procedure is reversible when the electrode assembly is in need of refurbishing.

Tubular electrode with removable conductive core

Refurbished electrode having an inner plate and outer envelope electrode

The present invention relates to a filter press electrolyzer of the type having front and rear bulkheads. The electrolyzer comprises an electrolytic cell between the bulkheads. The cell comprises a pair of planar electrode assemblies, typically including a center compartment assembly therebetween, all in a stacked relationship. Separators are clamped between the electrode and center compartment assemblies. Each electrode assembly comprises an annular frame defining an electrolyte chamber, a planar electrode member having an electrode active area within said chamber, and a current distributing bus on the side of the electrode member which is opposite the side facing the separator. The current distributing bus has a planar surface area which is substantially co-extensive with the electrode active area. Each of the electrode assemblies comprises a plurality of spaced-apart separator strips affixed to the electrode member on the side opposite the current distributing bus. The separator strips separate the electrode member from the separator. The bulkheads include means for compression of the electrode assemblies one against the other. The separator strips of the electrode assemblies are aligned so that the separator strips transmit the compression forces within the electrolyzer from one electrode assembly to the other.

Growing community of inventors

Eastlake, OH, United States of America

Andy W Getsy